Cheers! Cocktail programs thrive under Karl Goranowski
On any given evening, when diners step into the sophisticated Bata, they know the food and drink will take them somewhere they’ve never been — thanks to smoked-kissed tapas and time-honored cocktails. The same holds true for Barbata, downstairs. Contrast that to its sister eatery, the buoyant Reilly Craft Pizza, where the atmosphere is casual…
Exodus’ Souza all about Tucson’s fajitas
When legendary San Francisco thrashers Exodus come to Tucson on Sunday, Nov. 26, vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza is looking forward to the foodie scene. “In the ’80s, I had never had fajitas before I went to Tucson,” Souza said. “After that, all I wanted to do was go to Tucson, drink booze and eat fucking…
Holiday cheers
We Tucsonans are privileged to indulge year-round in remarkable, even award-winning, comestibles and libations throughout our Unesco City of Gastronomy. But there’s no other time that the mood is as festive, the friendships as meaningful and the memories as bright as the holiday season. Eat! Drink! Be Merry! Agustin Kitchen 100 S. Avenida del Convento,…
Some talk is just disgusting, so shut up
There is a scene in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” in which the newly reanimated Powers says, “I can’t believe that Liberace was gay. I mean, women loved him. I never saw that one coming.” I think that many of us baby boomers have experienced that feeling when one of our heroes — in…
Tucson Opry reflects city’s personality
When local musician Chris Brashear started the annual Tucson Opry variety show, he was inspired by the Grand Ole Opry and radio programs like “A Prairie Home Companion” and “eTown.” He yearned to showcase Southwestern and national artists at the first two gigs. The third iteration will have a holiday theme at Hotel Congress Plaza…
Box sets aplenty this holiday season
As the holiday shopping season hits full stride, finding a special gift for music fans can be a challenge, considering the music industry always makes sure there will be an ample selection of box sets and other special collections. This column focuses on anthology to help you find some of the best of these special…
Repertory singers celebrate ‘sweeter’ music
This holiday season, the Arizona Repertory Singers present “What Sweeter Music: 40 Years with ARS,” a journey through four decades of contemporary compositions and familiar classics, group highlights and audience favorites. In preparation for Arizona Repertory Singers’ anniversary year, a committee of singers and board members culled the brightest and best from the choral group’s…
Heritage-based artwork featured at market
Southwest Folklife Alliance will host an open-air winter market featuring artwork by Indigenous, African American and Mexican American heritage-based artists from Loom.Market. Find handmade Mata Ortiz pottery, African American Southern-style hats and Indigenous jewelry. Loom Holiday Art Market + Silent Auction is 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Pima County…
City Week: Week of Nov. 23, 2023
AN EVENING WITH JAKE SHIMABUKURO: “CHRISTMAS IN HAWAI’I” NOV. 26 Sales of ukuleles reportedly soared in the wake of Jake Shimabukuro’s 2021 release of “Jake & Friends,” recorded with, among others, Willie Nelson, Bette Midler, Michael McDonald, Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Shimabukuro will play music from that record, along with holiday favorites, accompanied by…
Laughing Stock: Ali Siddiq is a born storyteller
In 2022, when a lot of us were still tiptoeing out of hibernation, Ali Siddiq released two new hourlong comedy specials, “The Domino Effect” on YouTube and “Unprotected Sets” on EPIX. With more than 9 million views, “The Domino Effect” sprang to status as one of the five most-watched comedy specials of the year. Siddiq…
Move over, sweets, there’s a new cookie in town
Chocolate chip cookies beware: There’s competition in town — delicate, round, sweet sandwiches. Slated to open Downtown on Saturday, Nov. 25, Le Macaron French Pastries offers 20 flavors, including Belgian chocolate, birthday cake and Sicilian pistachio. At about $3 per cookie, the treats have a crispy outer shell and a sweet spread inside. Also on…
Review: Emerald Fennell’s bold ‘Saltburn’ lacking depth
If there’s one thing that can be said about Emerald Fennell’s new psychological black-comedy thriller “Saltburn,” the follow-up to her Academy Award-winning 2020 film “Promising Young Woman,” it’s that it’s certainly bold. Directed, written and produced by Fennell, “Saltburn” is as extravagant as the upper-class English lifestyle it depicts. With style and color that pop…
